Velocipede drive



1 Dec. 21 1926. 1,611,378

I S. L. ROGERS VELOCIPEDE DRIVE Filed Oct. 6 1925 9 INVENTOR.

2 g asvw BY (111' W ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

stares PATENT series;

SAMUEL L. ROGERS, OF SANERANCISGO. CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T JULIEhT A. BRIED,

OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

VELOCIPEDE DRIVE.

Application filed Gctober 6, 1923. Serial No. 666,979.

lily invention relates to velocipedcs partirnlarly'ci the type which are propelled by foot power oil a rider while standing. upright thereon, the it may be used with other type of velocipedes.

The invention has for its principal objccts the improvement of this type of ve hicle and .a simplification of the treadle drive'for actuating the road wheels together with otherimprovements all contributing to a better and safer vehicle of this'class.

My invention is illustrated in the drawings' accompanying this application and wherein Fin. 1 is aside elevation oi my complete vehicle with nearrear wheel and side of the body omitted to reveal the drivins mechanism. The vehicle is'shown with one treadle depressed with a riders 'l'oot dot ted in position on it, and the other treadle brokcn'witlr its rear end in raised posi on.

Fig. 2is a plan view of the rear portion of the vclocipede taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but with thedrive chain omitted, bothtreadles depressed, and with one treadle chain hook also omitted for clarity of the drawing;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged *detail of an optional springrjionnection frointhe rearend of a tread'le to the chain hook. Fig. 4 is alienlarged' detail sho'wing'how the chain hooks pass one another on a'commonbicycle chain. Fig. 5 isa side view of'Fig.'- 4 looking in the direction of the arrows5-5 o-flliax l.

Figures 6 and '7 are modified sprocket chains.

for use with the vehicle, a hook being shown on the oil side'o'f Fig. 6 engaging the chain.

Figures Sand 9 are slightly enlarged de tails of the divided rearshaft keyed in the rear sprocket. and Fig. 10' is an enlarged detail ofthe upper idler automatic chain take up.

Figure 11 is a section showing the upper part of a hook of the type shown in Figure (3 but with both sides embracing-the chain.

In further detail the vehicle is shown in Figures land 2 to consist of a lower frame 1 with a bracket 2 at its forward end pivotall y connected to a steeringpost 8 carrying at its lower end a front wheel 4. The rear end of the frame has two sides 5 connected by a wedge shaped top piece 7, on top o1 which is secured a seat 55 shaped for the rider to sit upon, as the vehicle ma also be propelled from a sitting posture if desired.

The sides of the body diverge forwardly and are open front and back (as shown. in F igure 2). This form accomplishesseveral things, .makes the mechanism accessible at the front end for oiling. permitsof a wide treadle at the rear end for strength, guards the forward rims of the road wheels, and

has lateral stiffening structural advantages.

Through the sides 5 5 extends a rear shaft 8 to which are secured driving road wheels 9. 9,- one of which. may be left loose on the shaft in the usual manner, or both .frame bracket with its free ends 19 bearing, each respectively, against the under. side of a treadle bracket to lift the -rear ends of the treadles.

The treadles are stopped in their downward motion by a stop 20 nearthe forward ends. and'in their upward movement by a stop 21 secured to the bracket brace 22 am extending laterally both ways.

T he stops beingclose to the forward end where the motion is slight; do away with the noise otherwise generated in operation of the vehicle.

At 23 on the treadles isshown a curved plate to fit'against the side of the arch of the shoeso that. a child can hold the feet. against them and thereby avoid slipping oil. At 2% is shown a further step for the heel formed on the hookattachine; plate 25, its object being to prevent the feet from slipping; back into the mechanism.

The driving mechanism consists of an endless sprocket chain 26 (pr-eterablyoi s1. cial design) passing around the drive sprocket 10 secured to the rear axle 8, then up and over an idler sprocket or wheel 27. and a pair of special hooks 28 pivot-ed at 30 to the treadles. are suitably formed and arranged to catch the chain links upon lid downward movement of the treadles only.

The hooks are rather loose on th ir pivots SO and are held against the chain sidewise, also pressed edgewise toward the chain by small springs 31. The engaging ends of the hooks are offset and adapted to ride over each other as indicated in Figures 4 and 5, so that the treaoles can pass one another on the up yard stroke of either, and each independently hook the chain on the downward strokes.

The hooks are out of engagement with the chain on the upward stroke and entirely clear of the chain at the ends ot the stroke, preferably being; held out at either or both ends of the stroke by a deflecting bump; as indicated at 32 at the upper end, or by bumping the outwardly turned lower end of the hook 56 against the base board at the lower end of the stroke, or any other equivalent arrangen'ient.

hile the hooks shown in Figures t and 5 will engage a standard bicycle chain. the exact form of the hook depends on the style of chain used and a somewhat better actin; book may be devised it a special chain such as indicated in Figures 6 or 7 i used, as the hook does not then extend over a sprocket tooth space and can therefore pass clear over the sprockets without being thrown out by the teeth thereof. The chain shown in Fig. 6 having one (or more) teeth 33 formed on each of its inner block link and the design in Fig. 7 having the outer side links out at an angle to form engaging teeth 23%, I wish to state should be considered as mere details of Fig. 1. tho the chain shown in Fig. 6 is my prefered form, but of course would be more expensive than standard chain as shown in Fig. unless made in a very large quantity.

In the (use of ordinary chain the upper idler 27 may be a simple idler wheel without teeth so that the hook can get down under the ends of the block links or chain rollers witho .t first having to descend to pass the idler, and if the side-links of the chain widened one way as indicated at 57 in Fig. t they will overlap the sides of the idler if made the thickness 01. the space between them. and thereby avoid the use of flanges to the idler and conscqre t interferences of hooks such as shown in Fig. i with any such flanges.

The hooks are preferably formed out of sheet metal and so arranged shown in l ip s. 6 and 4: that a flat portion. or exten sion thereof 54 lies against the side 01 the chain to guide the hook and being held against it by the spring; 31 shown in Figures 2 and 3. and which also presses the hooks in dire'tion to change the chain.

ll hen one treadl-e only is used on the vehicle, or when a separate chain is used each treadle, the hooks do not have to pass one another on the same strand of chain and in which case I prefer to make both sides of the hook embrace the chain as indicated in Figure 11 at 54' and which arrangement insures a more complete guiding: of the chain.

To prevent too great a shock upon engagement ot' the hooks with the chain 1 preferably pivot the hooks each on a suitable re. 'li u, men'iber, shown in Fig. 3 a comr i at spring secured to and projectinn; trom the rear end of the treadle 123. The spring is still enough to transmit the power, yet at the same time yield to the initial torze oi: the impact.

In Fig. 1 a somewhat different arrange ment is used. the hook 28 being pivoted to a stiff plate loosely riveted at 3'? to the treadles and further sustained by a very loose rivet or bolt 88 near the end of the trcadle. The bolt has a spring split washer 39 interposed between its nut and the plate. thus adapting the remote end of the plate to yield upon impact until limited by the adjustment of the bolt.

It will be seen from the above explanation oi. the drive, that I employ but one driving chain with both treadle hooks workinc; on the same chain strand without interference. Tris is a very important feature in economy of construction. but it is apparent that each hook could work on an indivioual chain, but this would require double the amount of chain, sprockets, etc. and greatly increase the cost. tho the invention is not limited to the use of but one chain nor to two treadles as it is equally apparent that one treadle (ould be omitted, tho the etiiciency of the drive vould also be impaired thereby.

lt is desirable that the idler 27 should be adjustable for keeping;' the chain taut so it will not jump the sprocket, and further desirable that the adjustment be automatic so to take up all slack in the chain occurs. T his I aci'omplish by the arrangement shown in Fig. 10 an enlarged broken sectional view of the upper part of the body showing the idler 27 carried on a shaft l-O held from revolving by squared ends in a pair of arms ll joined at the rear end and pivoted at the forward ends to the sides oi the vehir/le at 4:2. The rear end of the arms is Forced upward by the action ot a spring); 4.3 arranged about a sta tionarv bolt 44 projerting downwardly from the top 7. the spring being secured at upper end to a nut- 45 threaded to the ho L and at the lower end being}; secured through a hole in the bolt. The spring is wound up before securing: so that it will always tend to screw up the nut against the top of the link 52 which pivot ally suspends the joined ends ot the arms ll through pivots 523. It will be seen from the above explanation that whenever the chain stretches the device will automatically force the arms upward totake it. h I i r Fig. 8 shows the rear axle arrangement, the sprocket 10 having a hole punched-in it, as shown in Figure 9, formingdriving keys or projections 46, andhaving :t'wo hubs 47 secured to its sides to form a bore forthe shaft. The shaft *8 and 8"is divided in the center and stepped as shown at 48 to engage the sprocketprojections 46. A1349 are indicated. two cotter pins to keep the divided shaft from separating and which may also assist in the driving effort if desired. 7

The road wheels '9 (a portion of one only being shown in Fig. 8) are preferably forced tightly over a two sided tapered end 50 forming a shoulder on the axle end, and the extreme end of the shaft firmly riveted over against a washer 51 outside of the wheel. This insures that the wheels Will never come offof the axle, the if desired to take a wheel from the vehicle it may be removed complete on its half ofthe axle.

Of course, if desired a through shaft may beemployed, .and also only one wheel need be drivingly secured thereto, in the common manner of mounting such wheels on this class of vehicle.

Having thus described my improved veloc ipe'de drive and pointed out a few of the modifications possible with it, it will be seen to be capable of considerable changes without affecting the principle involved, there fore Ido not wish to restrict myself in the appended claims to specific detail where the improvement is broad, forinstance, to any specific form of hooks, or any specific form of chain or driving band.

I claim:

1. A drive chain for a vehicle of the character described comprising alternating block and side links pivotally connected by pintles, hooks projecting from the block links all inclined in a given direction relative to the run of chain.

2. In a vehicle of the class described, a road wheel thereon, a drive sprocket and an endless driving chain looped thereover arranged for driving the wheel, an operating treadle on the vehicle with a portion arranged to ravel back and forth in a path adjacent said chain, a device on said treadle adapted to engage the chain during one way direction of the treadle travel only and to pass over said sprocket.

3. A drive chain for a vehicle of the character described comprising alternating block and side links pivotally connected by pintles, hooks projecting one each from one end of the block links and inclined divergingly toward theother end of the block.

l. In a vehicle of the class described, a

road Wheel thereon, an endless driving band arranged for driving the wheel apair-10f forth in a path adjacent said band, a device" on each treadle adapted to engagetheband during one direction of travel ofthe treadles and to be free of engagement during; the other direction'of travel. 7

5. I11 a vehicle of the class .described,.a road wheel thereon, an endless loop of chain arranged to drive the wheel, a pair of op? erating treadles on the vehicle with a portion of each arranged to travel back and forth in a path adj acentsaid chain, a device on each adapted to independently engage the chain during one direction of travel of the treadles and to be free of engagement therewith during the other directionof travel.

6. In a velocipede having a drive chain, a chain take-upco-mprising a shaft with a chain wheel thereon, a lever supportinglthe endsof-the shaft and hinged. to thevehicle, and means at one endof the lever forad-. justing it to displace said wheel in its plane of rotation.

7. In a vehicle ofthe class described, a foot operated drive embracing upper and lower spaced'wh'eels, an endlessipowertrans mitting band passing around said wheels, a pair of treadles on the vehicle adapted to .move back and forth adjacent said band, a

deviceon each treadle adapted to independently engage the same band during one. way movement of the treadles I 8. In a vehicle of the class described, a 1

foot operated drive embracing a drive sprocket and an idlerwheel spaced therefrom, an endless loop of chain passing around said sprocket and idler, a pair of operating treadles independently mounted on the vehicle arranged to move backiand forth adjacent the chain, a deviceon each treadle adapted to 'engage' the same chain during one way movement of the treadles,

said devices being independent of one an other and'adapted to pass one anotherduring the non-engaging stroke of the treadles;

9. In a vehicle of the class described, a foot operated drive embracing a drive sprocket and an idler wheel spaced therefrom, an endless loop of drive chain passing around saidsprocket and idler, a pair of operating treadles" independently: mounted on the vehicle with a portion of each ar ranged to move b'ackand forth adjacent the chain, an open book on each tread learranged to hook the chain during the movement. of the treadles in one directionv and. tozbe' free of the chain during the other way movement of the treadles, said hooks being iadaptedto pass one another during independent operation of the treadles.

10. In a vehicle of the class. described, a foot operated rear axle drive embracing upper and lower wheel-s, an-endless band passing over said wheels, a treadle adapted to move adjacent'said band, a device on the treadle adapted to engage the hand during one way movement of the treadle, said treadle having a length of travel sufficient to pass said device beyond the center of each wheel.

11. In a vehicle of, the class described, a foot operated drive embracing a drive sprocket and an idler spaced therefrom, an endless loop of drive chain passing over said sprocket and idler, an operating treadle on said vehicle adapted to move back and forth adjacent said chain, a'device on the treadle adapted to engage the chain during one way movement of the treadle, said treadle having a length of travel suiiicient to carry said device beyond the center of the sprocket and idler and out of engagement with the chain at both ends of the stroke.

12. In a vehicle of the class described, a foot operated drive embracing a drive sprocket and an idler in spaced relation, an endless loop of drive chain passing over said sprocket and idler, an operating treadle on said vehicle adapted to move back and forth adjacent said chain, an open hook on said treadle adapted to hook the chain upon one way movement of the treadle only, said treadle having a length of travel sufiicient to carry the hook beyond the centers of the sprocket and idler end passing it out of engagement with the chain.

13. In a vehicle of the class described embracing an endless band chain drive, an operating treadle adapted to oscillate adjacent said chain, a hook on the treadle adapted to hook the chain at one way of oscillation only, and to pass out of engagement with the chain at the end of the stroke.

14. In a vehicle of the class described, a foot operated drive embracing an endless loop of chain arranged to transmit power to a road wheel of the vehicle, a pair of operating treadles on the vehicle with a portion of each arranged to travel back and forth in a path adjacent said chain, a hook on each treadle each adapted to independently hook the chain during one direction of travel of the treadles and to disengage the chain during the reverse movement of the treadle.

15. In a vehicle of the class described, a road wheel, a loop of driving chain with a sprocket at one end of the loop arranged for driving the wheel, an idler at the other end of the loop, a treadle on the vehicle with a portion arranged to move back and forth in a path along said chain, a hook co-operating with the treadle adapted to hook the chain during one way movement only of the treadle, and means for resiliently holding the hook against the chain.

16. In a vehicle of the class described, a foot operated drive embracing an endless loop of drive chain passing over an idler,

a treadle, means operated by the treadle for pulling the chain, and automatic means for moving the idler to tension the loop.

17. In vehicle of the character described including a horizontally arranged frame, a longitudinally arranged operating treadle pivoted to the forward end of the vehicle, a brace at the forward end of the vehicle extending at an angle from the frame, and a stop on said brace for limiting the upward movement of the treadle.

18. In a vehicle of the character described, a horizontally disposed main frame, a steering head at the forward end of said frame. a pair of longitudinally arranged operating treadles pivoted transversely to the forward end of the vehicle, an angular brace extending from the steering head between the treadles to the main frame, and a stop piece on said brace adapted to limit the upward travel of said treadles.

19. In a vehicle of the character described, a longitudinally arranged operating treadle pivoted ransversely to the front end of the vehicle, said treadle comprising a substantially flat foot board with an upwardly extending bracket secured thereto at the forward end of the board and engaging the pivot.

20. In a vehicle of the class described, an endless chain drive, a treadle with a hook adapted to engage said chain upon movement of the treadle, and resilient means cooperating with the hook to minimize the impact of the engagement.

2].. in a vehicle of the class described, an endless chain drive, a treadle with a hook adapted to hook said chain upon one way movementof the treadle, and a spring between said hook and said treadle arranged to modify the impact of the hooking engagement.

22. In a vehicle of the class described, a base board frame, a steering bracket secured to the same at the forward end and pivoted to the steering post, a transverse pivot on the bracket, a longitudinally arranged operating treadle supported on the pivot for oscillation, and a spring on the bracket reacting against same and the treadle for raising the latter.

In a vehicle of the class described, a base board frame, a steering bracket secured to the same at the forward end, a transverse shaft carried by the b ackct, a pair of longitudinally arranged ope 'ating treadles pivoted at their forward ends on said shaft, a wire spring arranged on the bracket with its free ends each, respectively, against one of the treadles to lift the rear end thereof.

24:. In a vehicle of the class described, a base boa-rd frame, two upstanding sides secured to the rear end thereof and diverging forwardly, a rear shaft passing transversely across the vehicle through said sides,

bearing alining brackets secured to said sides, and bearings for the shaft supported in the brackets.

25. In a vehicle of the class described, a frame, two rear Wheels thereon, a divided shaft connecting said Wheels, and a driving sprocket with a hub straddling the division of the shaft and alining the ends thereof.

26. Ina vehicle of the class described, a frame, two rear Wheels thereon, a divided shaft connecting said Wheels, a driving sprocket with a double-ended hub on said shaft straddling the division and alining the ends, driving means for said sprocket centralized Within the hub, the inner ends of the divided shaft being arranged to engage with said driving means when in position Within the hub, and means passing through the ends of the hub for holding the shaft ends therein.

SAMUEL L. ROGERS. 

